Hurricane Check In

[Bonnie and Kona]

Okay, East Coasters.... when you can please check in with us. I'm up in the middle of the night on the west coast, watching the news and wondering how all of you are doing! 

[BG and Gavin]

Cheryl - glad you checked in.  Sorry about the trees, but I am glad your house was spared.  Keep yourself and dear Finn safe.

[Jane, Guinness and Murphy]

Just reading everyone's responses and so happy that for the most part everyone is okay....although not necessarily all that comfortable without power.  Hoping that in the next day or two all is back to normal.

[Nelson, Rufus & KO]

We are in NW NJ - many trees and power lines are down. Most of us are without power and likely to stay that way for many more days. I am sure that the majority of us spent many summers on the beaches of the Jersey Shore. The devastation is horrific. People are still being rescued, many homes destroyed, many fires last night. I am seeing random posts on the Jersey Shore Huricanne News Facebbok page of shelters in NJ and NY needing supplies and crates and help to move animals to safe spaces. I would try to organize something but no phone or power and access to Internet is limited.

On the bright side, the Doodle Brothers were very happy that we slept on the floor in the basement last night. It was almost like being able to be on the bed. We were relocated in case a tree fell through the roof. We were lucky, several in our community were not.

[F, Calla & Luca]

I might have tried the main floor but I think I could never sleep in my basement. I hardly ever go down there unless I really have to. Luckily, the giant maple next to my bedroom stayed put. The news all around us is heartbreaking.

[Nelson, Rufus & KO]

Yeah, my back hurts but in a bi-level, the top floor is the main floor. We have about 1500 trees on our lot- 8 or 9 big ones came down. Fortunately they all missed the house.

[Charlotte and Bo]

I agree.  My basement is a place to which I rarely venture.

[Bonnie and Kona]

Thank you so much for updating us, Nelson, Rufus & KO. I'm grateful to hear you are safe. I hope that the power returns soon. This whole story is overwhelming. Praying for all facing this devastation.

[Cheryl and Finnegan]

Nelson, Rufus, and KO so glad you're safe!  Did anyone hear anything more from the Long Island poster yesterday?  

[BG and Gavin]

Stay safe Nelson.  Thank you for checking in.

[Nelson, Rufus & KO]

I just want to add to this how fortunate we feel here in Northern NJ. South Jersey is in real pain, I understand that the Humane Society has sent trucks for displaced animals who will hopefully find their way back home uncle many of the Katrina pet victims. I also heard that the woman from antler-ridge.com who was instrumental in animal rescue during Katrina has sent trucks to shelter animals, She does great work.

[F, Calla & Luca]

That is good news about the animals. It is also good that some shelters will allow pets but it is still hard. I can't imagine taking my two to a shelter with me, or putting them in a shelter. I certainly couldn't leave them. I did read about a doggie day care that stays open, has overnight staff and took in some shelter pets, from shelter in danger of flooding, for the duration. 

[Sue, Murphy and Bella ()*o*()]

I know this all seems so overwhelming to everyone, but there is a bright side. The clean up and repairs makes for a much better neighborhood. People get roofs replaced by insurance that may not have been covered otherwise, same with other structural damages. People are now going to have to clean up their yards and shrubbery making things less cluttered. And in some cases cars and other machinery is replaced that has been flooded and unsalvageable. For some small businesses, this could be a God send.
We have been through so many hurricanes and look around at the repairs and think how lucky for that person to have now gotten the roof done as they would never have been able to afford it otherwise. The unfortunate ones are those without insurance of course. But it was always so nice to see people come to each others aid in times of such struggle and need and give those needing it most the support necessary.
Not to mention the boost to the economy from all the employment of workers and supples needed.

Ofcourse the insurance industry takes a hit, and everyone in the area will be effected by increases, but never is it as much as replacing that which is damaged in a hurricane. I don't mean to minimize it. We always dreaded hurricanes and the destruction and the out of pocket costs but there are some positive ripple effects of disasters such as this.
So it's just a little silver lining Ina very big ugly storm. As long as everyone is safe. That really is the bottom line.